Writer Zhang Chengzhi interviews free travel (1) Free Travel - Interview with Writer Zhang Chengzhi In January 2005, the famous writer Zhang Chengzhi launched his latest collection of essays.The following is the transcript of Zhang Chengzhi's interview. Question: It has been more than two years since the writing of the book "The Ruins of Flowers: A Journey to Al-Andalus" (hereinafter referred to as "Flowers") and it seems that you have been immersed in the memories of "Al-Andalus" , is it because you have spent more effort on this book and you have a preference?

A: I went to Spain for the first time in 1999 and again in 2003.The range is probably around the Mediterranean Sea, mainly Spain, Portugal, Morocco, France and other countries.Every time I get a three-month visa, I find a hotel by myself, take the cheapest long-distance bus, and watch while walking, just like this, I went to 80% of the ancient ruins.During the writing process, I will recall all the details at that time; I can also participate in the production process of this book, and the cooperation is very pleasant.It can be said that among the more than 60 books I have published so far, "Flowers" is the book I am most looking forward to and most satisfied with.

Question: The travel routes described in the book "Flowers" are mainly in Spain and Morocco, but you seem to prefer the term "Al-Andalus". Does it have a special meaning? Answer: If it wasn't for the consideration of readers, I took out the title of one of my articles as the title of the book, I might prefer to use the name "Journey to Al-Andalus" directly.When my friends send me emails, they often ask me at the end: "How is your book "Andalus" doing?" Talk about "Andalus" with them. The Arabs called Muslim Spain Al-Andalus.From the 8th century AD to the 15th century AD, the south-central part of the Iberian Peninsula and the area south of the Strait of Gibraltar was a place where legendary civilizations blossomed, fruited and withered.Therefore, the word Al-Andalus also means that historical era.It is natural for me to be deeply interested in it; because it is not only the victory of Muslims over the West, but also the only one in the history of the entire East, especially the victory of civilization over the West.

Question: In your more than 20 years of literary career, you have traveled all over Europe, America, Japan, and Mongolia, but when it comes to the charm of foreign cultures, you love Spain the most and regard it as the end of the world in your dreams.Can you compare the cultural similarities and differences? A: If you look back at the footprints abroad, perhaps the first one is Japan.Because after all, I studied there twice, not only had a rough knowledge of the language, but also had some insight into the culture. When life was difficult and dangerous, it was there that I achieved a turning point.Secondly, Mongolia can be counted, which is an extension of my lifelong exploration of the Ujimqin Grassland.In addition, the Malays in Nanyang are unforgettable, which gave me an important eye-opener.Needless to say, there are many more places to look at: Turkey and Kazakhstan, Mauritania and Chechnya, Cyprus and Palestine, a mysterious black Africa, and a hopeful South America. ——On my favorite list, France, Germany, the United States, and Canada can only be ranked last, the so-called first-class countries.Although I have traveled thousands of miles, and I have repeatedly sought to go deeper, they are as thin as paper with me, and cannot arouse the urge to flee or investigate.

Spain is an exception.Compared with the ambiguous Japanese culture, its colors are strong and vivid, and its context is as clear as a knife.It was like the bad boy of the House of Europe, unkempt, rough, and somewhat poor.Each of its cultural customs has a different appearance, and each story is entangled with the outline of world history.It is the real border between the East and the West, and the scars of the battle are still left on the wall today, for people like me to search for and archaeologically visit the present.I feel that during the few months in Spain, although I was physically exhausted from traveling all day, I was very excited mentally. I was often infected by the enthusiasm of the Spanish people, and I had new discoveries and emotions at any time.I think the reason why I love Spain is mainly because of a combination of temperament.

Q: Compared with when you were young, do you have any special requirements when you choose to travel abroad now? Answer: I think there are three lands covered by civilization that attract me the most.Now I seem to be used to a problem—not only the monotonous North America, even Paris or Barcelona, ​​as long as there are not a few layers of cultural overlap, nowhere can satisfy me.I now set a harsh standard for my favorite Europe: A famous city must have three relics and cultures of Rome, Arabia and Catholicism at the same time.Only such a place is worth running for.Unless you are a rich man thinking about traveling, as long as you are throwing your savings for years to break through the cage of narrow knowledge, you should pursue the shock and pleasure of seeking knowledge.

If it is not necessary to insist on the three items, but to have both Eastern and Western civilizations—then there are too many cities that have both Roman and Arab civilizations, or Moorish and Catholic civilizations. Question: You mentioned the "roughness" of Fu Lei's translation in "Kalman Nearby", which seems to be quite different from people's impression of Fu's translation. Answer: I mentioned in the article: Fu Lei deleted that important linguistic example sentence in "Kalman" for some reason when translating.Similar roughness is shown when dealing with, for example, Arabic words (such as translating Abdul Rahman into Abrah El Raman).Rather than saying this is a mistake, it is better to say that this is a sign - Chinese intellectuals lack sensitivity to special materials and lack vigilance of their own vision.

Question: During these two trips to Spain, apart from the gains in knowledge, I think you seem to have particularly emphasized the enthusiasm for knowledge.You have mentioned the mentality of elementary school students several times, can you expand and talk about it? Answer: I feel that learning is a very happy thing.Some people may not understand it, but I have always experienced this kind of fun.For example, before I went to Spain, I specially learned some Spanish, so that when you communicate with people, you will feel very close, and you can better understand their spiritual temperament.Man is very happy when he not only overcomes life but brings pleasure.

Writer Zhang Chengzhi interviews free travel (2) Q: In addition to writing, you have also painted a lot of oil paintings and photographs, and some of them have been used as covers (such as the English and French versions of "The River in the North", "A Book of Mountains and Rivers" by the Writer's Society, etc. ), also used a lot of sketches of the characters and scenes you drew.You seem to have written quite a few calligraphy works over the years, and many people hang your calligraphy respectfully on the wall.Are these your hobbies? A: Painting is sometimes to rest the mind, and it can also be used to decorate the room.The themes of the oil paintings are mainly the life in the grassland when jumping in the queue and some scenes in the Northwest.Writing couplets to farmer friends is mainly to express a little heart, and every time I go to the countryside to trouble others, I always feel a little bit sorry.Sometimes I forget about the paintings after giving them away.Once a friend visited a Japanese friend’s house, and when he entered the house, he found an oil painting of mine hanging on the wall at the entrance of his house. He took a photo and gave it to me. Now I save it in the computer as a screensaver. .I was deeply moved by this incident.

Q: In your works, the concept of "people" seems to run through all the time. When did you start to mention it? Answer: From the beginning of my writing, I was determined to write for the "people". When I jumped in line and published my first work - Mongolian poetry, I used "Son of the People" as my pen name.Later, I consciously stood in their position, and my ideal now is: to use my own pen, to stand on the side of the oppressed people in the world who have no right to speak and who need assistance, act and write. Q: When you participated in the large-scale anti-war demonstrations in Madrid, was it also based on this idea?

A: That parade was so unforgettable, and I haven't been so excited for a long time.I later learned that what broke out that day was the largest anti-war demonstration since the Vietnam War and became a milestone of people’s protests.I remember the Madrid people I saw with my own eyes, who showed Spanish enthusiasm in their actions, and their image has been established, and it will never be erased from my memory. Question: If all conditions allowed, where would you choose as your home? Answer: I always wonder whether people can regard indulging in geography as their own way of life.Of course, that kind of geography cannot be encountered everywhere. It must have a shocking vision, a great sense of beauty, and a secret history.It can keep out the worldly winds, and lure people to stagger in its hinterland.It gives people the satisfaction of seeking knowledge and the feeling of home.In the end, people are almost combined with it. After the years have passed, they just want to let their eyes meet their vision and be buried in this place.If I had to choose, Spanish Alpujaras?Moroccan tea?Xiatai in Yili, Xinjiang?Might just be able to pick out the annoying places. Q: What is your preference for the three continents you often mention, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Xihaigu? A: An overly pure culture will lead to one-sided and narrow views.A writer's contact with society, if it is plural civilizations and plural cultural areas, two different things will correct some of your possible prejudices.The nourishment of multiple civilizations is very important to an intellectual, because China is multi-civilized. I have experienced consistent and close attention to the civilization of the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, and it is the most specific, the most detailed and the lowest level of attention.The feeling of obtaining a treasure is something that others cannot understand.The main thing that attracts me to the Northwest is its culture, which is a strange and colorful culture.My experience in the Northwest is completely different from some people’s novelty hunting and so-called adventures, and so-called writers who disrespect or ignore or even ravage the feelings of local residents. I look forward to breaking through myself, and now this idea is becoming more and more firm-I want to be a multicultural son, and I don't want to live in a narrow life.I hope that my works show rich cultural features. Q: The readers of your works seem to be relatively fixed? A: My relationship with readers is somewhat special.For example, in Xinjiang, there is a young Muslim worker who reads my books at the bookstall every day. It is so cold in winter that even the owner of the bookstand shrank there, but he insists on reading.Last year when I went to Xinjiang, I met an old sheep herding man who was a researcher of my work.He came to see me from the mountain that day and asked very detailed questions.At that time, I had a feeling of happiness. There is an old man in Niujie, Beijing, who used to burn boilers. He is over 80 years old this year. He has been reading my books and enthusiastically recommending them to others.Every time my book is published, he will go to the publishing house to buy some books, and then recommend them to his friends. Although I often remind him not to use his limited money to buy books, he never tires of it.There are many similar situations. Q: You spend half of your time outside every year, how do you usually arrange it? A: I have some bases, such as Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, etc., and they have reserved houses for me.I have many farmer friends who read my books and communicate with me.They will discuss things with me.For example, business loans, children's marriage, some things I may not be able to help, but I can help them with ideas. Q: How do you think your travel style is different from others? A: My travel is not the usual kind of travel, but a real life-long journey, which is extremely important for an intellectual.Reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles, I think one party is indispensable.But I think it is relatively easy for me to communicate with the local people.This is the case in Spain.We took the cheapest long-distance bus and traveled in the way of local people without any fear. It was easier to communicate in this way, full of hardships and fun. Q: Where will you travel next? Answer: If possible, I would like to go to Latin America.By the way, practice the Spanish I learned. (Zhong Zhenfen/text)